We’re proud to announce that South & City College Birmingham has signed up to the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant (EDAC). The covenant is a pledge by businesses that enables women affected by abuse to enter or re-enter the workforce. Its aim is to create a positive impact and offer sustainable solutions for those who have been abused and to help people who have suffered in the past feel more included and supported by society.
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has reported that domestic abuse is still a major problem. There were 845,734 police recorded domestic violence crimes in the year ending March 2020, which is 6% more than the previous year. Domestic abuse can have a long-term economic impact on victims/survivors which is why they are offered dedicated support to empower them on their employability journey.
Alma Aganovic, Senior Lead for Equality and Diversity said: “As a college, we recognise how difficult it can be for those affected by domestic abuse, which is why we have signed up to the EDAC and taken a pledge to support those affected by abuse to enter or re-enter the workplace. We are committed to raising awareness across our college community and encouraging meaningful conversations around this important topic, with the hope of breaking the taboo surrounding victims and survivors of domestic abuse.”
Founding member of EDAC, Polly Harrar added: “We are delighted that South & City College Birmingham has become the first College to sign up to EDAC and on International Women’s Day 2022. We look forward to working together to raise awareness and identify sustainable solutions and opportunities for victims/survivors of domestic abuse.”
Notes to Editors
The Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant is the third Covenant in the UK, which follows on from the Armed Forces and Care Leavers Covenants, and is the first to address Domestic Abuse. It has been included as a recommendation in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and shines a spotlight on economic abuse.
Initially piloted across London and Essex, the Covenant was rolled out across England over the summer of 2021 and encourages engagement from businesses, charities, statutory and non-statutory services to enhance sustainable support for women affected by abuse.
EDAC is delivered by The Sharan Project, an award-winning charity that works to empower, educate and inspire women who want to learn about the support and choices that are available to them and provide them with the tools to lead a life on their own terms. Taking a partnership approach, EDAC works with a range of delivery partners, including Smart Works and EDAC Signatory Partners Accor Group, Cadent Gas and Engie UK, EDAC is further supported by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales.
For more information please visit: https://edacuk.org/about/
Contact
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